Los Angeles restaurant Kali, founded by Chef Kevin Meehan in 2016, has officially reopened on Melrose Avenue with a new direction. Known for its Michelin-starred modern California tasting menu, the restaurant has now embraced a mid-century steakhouse concept inspired by classic American dining. The shift marks a return to à la carte service, with familiar dishes like chicken Milanese, rigatoni, and salmon au poivre, along with steakhouse staples including rib-eye, New York strip, and porterhouse cuts. Meehan said, “I want to take away the pretentiousness of fine dining, which I did for nine-and-a-half years and excelled at. We needed to pivot, and this is something I enjoy eating every day.” The restaurant features dry-aged beef from Creekstone Farms and continues to use high-quality ingredients, with a 16-ounce rib-eye priced at $75.
After a temporary closure in January 2025 for renovations and to focus on the launch of seafood restaurant Koast, Kali reopened on July 18, 2025, with upgraded ambiance, velvet booths, dim lighting, and martinis chilled to perfection. Guests can still find longtime favorites like mushroom risotto, along with new sides such as Brentwood corn, macaroni and cheese, and six potato varieties. Meehan added, “I don’t think we’ll get a Michelin star next year because it’s not that kind of restaurant anymore. This pivot is crucial for my restaurant to endure and to take care of a huge team. I just want to make it easy for everyone.” With its refined yet approachable new identity, Kali aims to offer comfort, familiarity, and quality for both longtime patrons and a new generation of diners.